Housing Hits!

Update April 2009

Here's a small selection of recession-busting good-news stories from the Manchester housing world . . . bricks-and-mortar proof of a buzzing city!

Multi-million pound home improvements

Thousands of Manchester people are enjoying brighter futures as multi-million pound investment brings sparkling home improvements and stunning upgrades to local estates and environments.

After tenants' backing in special ballots, four brand new not-for-profit companies took over from the council to bring local housing up to high-quality modern standards. They're spending hundreds of millions of pounds revamping 30,000 homes, and upgrading the surrounding environments.

Boosting jobs

As well as more comfort, security and a better quality of life for local people, the huge spending is boosting job and training prospects too.

The improvement work has created more and more jobs, and helped others get the skills they need for a better future - 150 trainees and 14 work-experience posts and counting!

There are similar success stories across the city - an agreement in south Manchester means scores of new apprenticeships and jobs in the area covered by Southway Housing Trust for example. And it's all guaranteeing work for local building companies at a worrying time for the industry.

We're now entering the final stages of the drive to bring these improvements, and all the added community benefits, to every Manchester council estate.

Find out more about the future of council housing.

Northwards and onwards!

It's full steam ahead to finish home improvements to nearly 13,000 north Manchester homes after the government watchdog, the Audit Commission, gave Northwards Housing a maximum 'three-star' rating after a rigorous two-week inspection.

The inspectors highlighted lots of positives: from how well Northwards listens and responds to its customers; to how it offers vulnerable tenants extra upgrades as part of their home improvement package. 

Find out more about the Northwards inspection.

Millions for Miles Platting

Local people in 1500 council homes in Miles Platting and parts of Ancoats are benefiting from massive improvements through an exciting investment scheme that combines the resources of the private sector, with the local knowledge of the city council and the experience of a not-for-profit housing organisation.

Most council homes in the area needed major spending to bring them to a decent modern standard. And the neighbourhood suffered from other familiar problems like poor fencing and run-down open spaces. Now, a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme, is bringing great home improvements; with new kitchens, bathrooms, rewiring, new windows and other improvements.

The work has meant new job opportunities and apprenticeships in the local construction industry too.

Find out more about Miles Platting PFI.

Independent living

Older people can look forward to some great new housing options. A refurbished block of retirement housing at Butler Court, Miles Platting has been completely refurbished and is re-opening soon as 'extra care' housing.

Offering independent living with peace-of-mind, residents will enjoy more support and facilities than in standard retirement housing. As well as a comfortable lounge and landscaped gardens, there'll be a laundry, hair dressing salon, library and computer room, exercise room, gallery lounge, treatment room and quiet room.

For more information, contact Adactus Housing.

Looking further ahead, Whitebeck Court in Charlestown, Blackley is set to enjoy a £10m overhaul that will see this empty multi-storey block converted into state-of-the-art accommodation for older people. All the flats will be for rent at first; there could be some to buy later. There'll be a full range of communal and individual extra-care services, plus support from dedicated staff in a high-quality environment.

The flats won't be ready for a while, but watch this space!

Beating the chill in Collyhurst

We want to improve local housing, bring new homes for sale, and make a better quality of life for people in Collyhurst. Look out for more information here soon.

Meanwhile local council tenants can look forward to a warmer way of life. As fuel costs spiral, many Collyhurst people face high bills, or a chilly outlook. So we're putting in cavity wall insulation to homes that need it, and offering draught-proofing to everyone. 

Warmer homes, lower bills

Why not apply for a grant or loan to make your home 'energy efficient'? You'll spend less on your heating, keep nice and warm, and do the environment a favour too!

The Warm Homes scheme, for instance, offers homeowners free, or discounted, energy efficiency measures to make your home more comfortable and cut your heating bills.

The work is free (up to a maximum amount) if you're over 60, have a child under six, or you get certain benefits. Even if you don't qualify for free improvements you can still get great discounts; it's just £50 for cavity wall insulation, and £50 for loft insulation.

Thousands of happy customers

Thousands of people are enjoying the benefits of the scheme. Since April 2008 around 2,600 homes have had 3,400 energy efficiency measures, plus 3,600 low-energy light bulbs. That's a lot of energy saved - for the customer and the planet. And it's created new jobs too. The company doing the work, Insulation UK, recently took on two insulation fitters, and two office workers. Warm news all round!

Find out more about energy efficiency.